Drones are becoming more advanced, versatile, and ubiquitous every day. Whether you use them for hobby, business, or education, you need to keep up with the latest trends and innovations in drone technology. But how do you do that? How do you stay ahead of the curve and prepare for the future of drones? Here are some tips to help you out.
One of the easiest ways to stay informed about drone technology is to follow the news and updates from reliable sources. You can subscribe to newsletters, podcasts, blogs, magazines, or social media accounts that cover drone topics. You can also join online forums, groups, or communities where you can interact with other drone enthusiasts, experts, or professionals. By following the news, you can learn about new developments, products, regulations, challenges, and opportunities in the drone industry.
1.) Be careful. The industry is full of smoke-and-mirrors. Everyone wants to be the first, even if that means breaking the fine lines of salesmanship vs. tangible reality. 2.) Pay attention to what everyone says they are doing. Compare that to what everyone else is doing. Then determine how real the claim is. Chances are, it’s a stretch to claim the “first” of anything at best. If it is a “first”, the claim is overstated in the interest of differentiation. 3.) Listen to what everyone has to say, then form your own opinion. There’s major potential for commercial UAS…if the approach to integration is based on tangible (present) realities and the understanding of (future) potential.
Follow leading hardware and software manufacturers, such as DJI, DroneSense, DroneDeploy etc. Subscribe or regularly check UAS specific websites, such as dronexl.com , dronedj.com and suasnews.com You could also join LinkedIn or Facebook Groups to discuss and learn about new drone use cases.
If you want to stay ahead of future enhancements in drone technology, you're probably: 1) working for a company with recurring, annual, and massive robotics budget that's influencing the "makers" to provide custom solutions; literally changing/influencing their business plans and development cycles If you're the other 99%, you're focused on - gathering feedback on use-cases and needs, -training -introductions to the technology -data/image management & integration to existing tools -constant compare & contrast to now vs. the "old way". Focused meetings/sessions with customers, co-workers, colleagues will help the program achieve immediate value, and help zero-in on what "future" needs will be. Avoid chasing the shiny new "enhancement"
Another way to stay ahead of drone technology is to learn new skills that can enhance your drone experience. You can take online courses, watch tutorials, read books, or attend workshops that teach you how to fly, program, design, or repair drones. You can also learn about related topics such as photography, videography, mapping, data analysis, or artificial intelligence. By learning new skills, you can improve your drone performance, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.
A third way to stay ahead of drone technology is to experiment with different drones that have different features, capabilities, or applications. You can buy, rent, borrow, or build your own drones that suit your needs, interests, or goals. You can also try different types of drones such as fixed-wing, rotary-wing, hybrid, or multi-rotor drones. By experimenting with different drones, you can discover new possibilities, challenges, and solutions in drone technology.
A fourth way to stay ahead of drone technology is to participate in events that involve drones. You can join competitions, festivals, exhibitions, conferences, or meetups that showcase, celebrate, or discuss drone technology. You can also volunteer, sponsor, or organize your own events that promote, educate, or inspire others about drones. By participating in events, you can network with other drone enthusiasts, experts, or professionals, and learn from their experiences, insights, or feedback.
To stay ahead of future advancements in drone technology, you can visit leading events in your area, where leading manufacturers show their newest products. You could also meet and exchange with industry leaders, listen to presenations and engage in Q&A sessions.
A fifth way to stay ahead of drone technology is to explore new applications that can benefit from drones. You can use drones for fun, education, entertainment, art, or sports. You can also use drones for social, environmental, humanitarian, or commercial purposes. You can look for problems, needs, or opportunities that can be solved, met, or created by drones. By exploring new applications, you can expand your horizons, innovate your ideas, and contribute to the advancement of drone technology.
A sixth and final way to stay ahead of drone technology is to keep an open mind. You should be curious, flexible, and adaptable to the changes and trends in drone technology. You should also be willing to experiment, learn, and improve your drone skills and knowledge. You should not be afraid to make mistakes, ask questions, or seek help from others. By keeping an open mind, you can embrace the future of drone technology and enjoy its benefits.
One thing I have found is that as technology changes you have to keep an open mind to other possibilities. What was a best practice or solution 3 years ago might not be the best solution now. Be open to change, explore, review and be a part of what’s happening in the UAV / drone community. If you’re not open minded to change you can get left behind with how fast this industry is evolving.
-Stay updated with industry news and research. -Engage in online communities and forums dedicated to drones. -Attend conferences, seminars, and workshops related to drone technology. -Network with professionals and researchers in the field. -Continuously learn and explore new technologies, such as AI and machine learning, that can enhance drone capabilities. -Experiment with new applications and use cases for drones. -Invest in training and education to keep your skills sharp and adaptable